Roller cam latch for window

ABSTRACT

A latching flange extending laterally inwardly along the lower edge of a hinge-suspended window is positioned to enter between a pair of cam actuated latch rollers which are journaled on laterally outwardly spring biased members to ride between a pair of laterally outwardly converging cam surfaces. The cam pressed rollers grip the flange when introduced therebetween and prevent its withdrawl, thereby holding the window closed. Manually drawing the spring biased members and its rollers inwardly frees the rollers from the cams and permits the flange to be withdrawn and window to be opened. For releasing the flange from the exterior of the vehicle for automatic window washing a spring biased rail is provided exteriorly of the vehicle, and a roller, rolling along this rail, moves the rollers inwardly to flange releasing position.

United States Patent Noga June 11, 1974 ROLLER CAM LATCH FOR WINDOW [57] ABSTRACT [75] Inventor: Robert A. Noga, Del Mar, Calif.

A latching flange extending laterally inwardly along [73] Asslgnee' E E; Indusmes Chula Vlsta the lower edge of a hinge-suspended window is posia timed to enter between a pair of cam actuated latch [22] Filed: Oct. 4, 1972 rollers which are joumaled on laterally outwardly spring biased members to ride between a pair of later- [211 App! 294960 ally outwardly converging cam surfaces. The cam pressed rollers grip the flange when introduced there- [52] U.S. Cl. 292/261, 292/DIG. 65 between and prevent its withdrawl, thereby holding [51] Int. Cl. E05c 17/10 the window closed. Manually drawing the spring bi- [58] Field of Search 292/23, 9, 252, 261, 341.12, ased members and its rollers inwardly frees the rollers 292/341 l 5, 341.17, 92 from the cams and permits the flange to be withdrawn and window to be opened. For releasing the flange [56] References Cited from the exterior of the vehicle for automatic window UNITED STATES PATENTS washing a spring biased rail is provided exteriorly of 1 058 584 4/1913 Hendricks 292/26] X the vehicle, and a roller, rolling along this rail, moves 1:593:22? 7/1926 Taylor......::::l::::: "135254115 x rollers inwardly to flange releasing Position- 2,2l5,9l4 9/1940 Coffey 292/23 X 2,356,403 8/1944 Heidman et al. 292/252 X 6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures Primary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn Assistant Defin ri hard?- mb ROLLER CAM LATCH FOR WINDOW BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A hingedly suspended window designed primarily for use in a transportation type vehicle, such as a bus or train car, is disclosed and claimed in co-pending U. S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 267,427, filed 6/29/72, by K. W. Tantlinger and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The window of the foregoing application comprises a single sheet of suitable transparent material, such as, forexample, glass, and is hingedly suspended from its upper edge. In use it is mandatory that the windows remain securely closed under relatively high loads, as in the event of a collision, and still be easy to release for cleaning or emergency escape. A roller cam latch based on the same scientific principle as the present invention, but different in many respects, is disclosed in co-pending U. S.-Pat. application, Ser. No. 294,959, by Charles C. Hill, filed of even date herewith and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The latch of the present invention is particularly effective for use on such window, and may also be used on other types of hingedly mounted windows.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a simple, positive cam-roller latch for use on a hingedly suspended window.

A further objective of the invention is to provide such a window latch comprising an inwardly extending latching flange mounted along the lower edgeof such window, and positioned to enter between a pair of laterally outwardly biased gripping rollers riding between a pair of outwardly converging cams mounted on the window frame structure. The outward biasing force urges the rollers outwardly between the converging cams so as to grip the latching flange when introduced therebetween. Manually actuated release means is provided to move the rollers inwardly free of the cams when it is desired to release the latching flange and thus free the window for opening. A secondary release may be provided to operate from the exterior of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing objectives and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical, transverse, sectional view, in the zone of the window sill, of a portion of a side wall of a transportation type vehicle having the invention embodied therein.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary section view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings in detail, a vehicle side wall.

extrusion 10, which may be of aluminum, preferably extends the entire length of the side wall of a transportation type vehicle, such as a bus or rail car, in which the invention is embodied. An upwardly open channel 11, with undercut side walls, is provided in the extrusion 10, and the thickened lower edge portion of a bottom sealing strip 12 is inserted in retained position in this channel. The sealing strip 12 has two integral, tapered flanges l3 and 14, which are engaged by, and seal, the bottom of a hingedly suspended window 15 when the latter swings downwardly and inwardly to its closed position as illustrated.

The window 15 is essentially a single pane of suitable, transparent material, such as, for example, tempered or safety glass or a suitable transparent plastic material, with a channel member 17, which preferably is an extrusion of suitable material, such as aluminum, fitted to, and adhesively secured to, its lower edge. A latching flange 18 extends inwardly from an intermediate portion of the inner side flange of the channel member 17 substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the window 15. The flange 18 is positioned to enter between a pair of relatively superposed cam rollers 19 and 20 when the window 15 is swung from open to closed position along the broken line 21. A second or guard flange 16 preferably is provided to prevent injury by the flange l8, and extends inwardly from the upper edge of the inner side flange of the channel member 17.

The latching rollers 19 and 20 preferably are of relatively uncompressible material, with their peripheries having a suitably high co-efficient of friction, and are mounted between the outwardly converging side flanges 22 and 23 of a channel 24, which, as illustrated, is integral with the extrusion 10. The length of a few inches for each roller has been found satisfactory, with three pairs of the rollers provided for each window, one pair mounted centrally of the window, and one pair near each side thereof. The rollers 19 and 20 of each pair are similar, and are generally similarly mounted, so that the mounting structure of only the lower roller 19 is described in detail herein. Corresponding parts of the upper roller are designated by the same numerals, with the prime added.

The roller 19 is journaled on a mounting member 25 in the nature of a wire bail, with side arms 27 and 28 thereof, see FIG. 2, passing for free axial movement through holes 29 and 30, respectively, provided in the upright bottom portion 31 of the channel 24. The inner end portions of the side arms 27 and 28 are bent inwardly at right angles, and are pivotally mounted in holes provided therefor in a pair of mounting brackets 32 and 33 secured to a spring mounted window sill 34 provided for each window.

The window sill 34 comprises an angle member of suitable sheet metal with a generally horizontal top flange 35 and a generally upright inner flange 37. A flange 36 to permit drawing the sill 34 inwardly extends inwardly co-extensively with the tip flange 35 and is bent downwardly to facilitate grasping manually. The sill 34 is mounted on a required plurality of leaf springs 38 secured at their upper ends by rivets 39 to the window sill 34, and at their lower ends by rivets 40 to a downwardly extending portion of a sill support flange 41 integral with the vehicle side wall extrusion 10. The springs 38 bias the window sill 34, and thereby the cam rollers 19 and 20, laterally outwardly along the converging inner cam surfaces of the side flanges 22 and 23 of the channel 24. In their manimum outwardly biased position, the rollers 19 and 20 are separated by a distance less than the thickness of the latching flange 18.

For releasing the latches from the exterior of the vehicle a presser rail 49 of suitable material, such as stainless steel, is provided along the exterior of each side of a vehicle embodying the invention, the rail being mounted on the outer ends of a plurality of spring biased push pins 50, one of which is provided adjacent each end of each pair of the rollers 19 and 20. A coil spring 51 encircles each push pin 50, and is held in compression between a pin mounting bracket 52 on an inwardly extending portion of the flange 41, and a collar 53 secured on each pin 50. The inner end of each pin 50 is offset at 54 to clear the liner 42 and to engage the sill 34 and move it inwardly to free the latching flange 18 from its rollers 19 and 20. A double flanged presser roller55, shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, is assumed to be part of a window washing mechanism, not otherwise shown, and presses the rail 49 inwardly to free the windows for opening. This roller 55 is not, however, material to the present invention, and further details thereof are, therefore, omitted.

OPERATION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE MECHANISM In explaining the operation of the illustrated mechanism, it is assumed that initally the lower end of the window has been swung outwardly along the broken line 21 to open position, with the latching flange l8 and guard flange l6 laterally outwardly beyond the latching rollers 19 and 20, and the window sill 34 free from extraneous forces. Under these conditions the sill support springs 38 urge the window sill 34, and thereby the gripping rollers 19 and 20, outwardly, whereby the cam action of the converging flanges 22 and 23 urges the rollers toward each other to a point where they are either in peripheral contact with each other, or are spaced apart by a distance less than the thickness of the latching flange 18.

Upon releasing the thus outwardly swung window 15, gravity, aided by the resilience of the supporting hinge member, not shown, if the latter is of the resilient type swings the window 15 inwardly along the broken line 21 of FIG. 1 to its closed position shown in the drawmgs.

As the window swings to its closed position, the free inner edge of the latching flange 18 engages the rollers 19 and 20, moving them inwardly as required, along with their wire supports and 25' and the window sill 34 against the bias of the sill supporting springs 38. As the rollers 19 and 20 are thus moved inwardly along the inner sides of the flanges 22 and 23, they separate sufficiently to admit the latching flange 18 therebetween.

As the window reaches its fully closed position, the rollers 19 and 20, biased outwardly along their respective flanges 22 and 23 by the sill supporting springs 38, grip the latching flange l8 therebetween. Thereafter, any attempt to open the window 15, and thereby withdraw the latching flange 18 from between the rollers 19 and 20, only tends to roll the rollers outwardly along their converging cam surfaces, and thereby more tightly grip the latching flange 18 in the manner, for example, of a ball cam clutch.

To release the latching flange 18 for opening the window, the sill 34 is moved inwardly slightly, as by inserting the tips of ones fingers beneath the flange 36, and drawing the sill, and thereby the rollers 19 and 20, inwardly sufficiently to free the rollers from the flanges 22 and 23.

For use of the invention with automatic window washing mechanism, such as, for example, the type mentioned previously herein, the presser roller 55 rides along and bears against the rail 49, depressing the rail 49 laterally inwardly to release the rollers 19 and 20 from their flanges 18 to thereby free the windows 15 for opening.

The invention provides a simple, strong, positive window latch, which is relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and when latched, resists application of increasing opening force with increasing latching effect. It has no tendency to freeze up or seize with the lapse of time, which if this tendency were present, might result in a dangerous situation in the event of an emergency requiring escape of the passengers.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and useful and desired to be secured by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. A roller cam latch mechanism for an inwardly closing window hingedly suspended from an upper portion of a window frame comprising:

a latching element mounted on a lower edge portion of the window and extending inwardly therefrom,

a pair of outwardly converging cam members mounted along a sill portion of the window frame and located to receive therebetween the latching element when the window is swung inwardly to its closed position, said cam members comprising side flanges of a horizontal outwardly open channel member mounted on the window frame, said channel member being an integral part of a side wall extrusion extending substantially the entire length of a side wall in which the mechanism is embodied,

a pair of latch rollers mounted for rolling movement with their axes parallel to the plane of the window, one between each of two opposite sides of the latching element and the converging cam member opposite thereto when the window is in closed position,

spring means biasing the rollers into rolling engagement with their respective sides of the latching element and their respective, converging cam members to grip the latching element between the rollers and thereby latch the window in closed position, and

means for moving the rollers inwardly clear of their respective converging cam members to release the latching element and thereby free the window for opening.

2. A cam roller latch mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein each latch roller is mounted on an inwardly extending support member and each support member is outwardly spring biased.

3. A cam roller latch mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein each roller support member is mounted at its inner end on an outwardly spring biased roller release member which is exposed interiorly of a vehicle in which the mechanism is mounted.

4. A cam roller latch mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said roller release member is an angle member which comprises a sill element.

5. A cam roller latch mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein a presser rail is mounted for limited movement along the sill area of a vehicle in which the latch mechanism is embodied, and means operatively connect the presser rail and each support member for release of the rollers from their respective cam surfaces upon a selected movement of the presser rail.

6. A cam roller latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latching element is a flange extending along a lower portion of a window upon, which it is mounted, and a protective guard flange extends inwardly along a lower portion of the window substantially parallel to, and in upwardly spaced relation to the latching flange, and in slightly spaced relation above the uppermost of the converging cam members when the window is in closed position. 

1. A roller cam latch meChanism for an inwardly closing window hingedly suspended from an upper portion of a window frame comprising: a latching element mounted on a lower edge portion of the window and extending inwardly therefrom, a pair of outwardly converging cam members mounted along a sill portion of the window frame and located to receive therebetween the latching element when the window is swung inwardly to its closed position, said cam members comprising side flanges of a horizontal outwardly open channel member mounted on the window frame, said channel member being an integral part of a side wall extrusion extending substantially the entire length of a side wall in which the mechanism is embodied, a pair of latch rollers mounted for rolling movement with their axes parallel to the plane of the window, one between each of two opposite sides of the latching element and the converging cam member opposite thereto when the window is in closed position, spring means biasing the rollers into rolling engagement with their respective sides of the latching element and their respective, converging cam members to grip the latching element between the rollers and thereby latch the window in closed position, and means for moving the rollers inwardly clear of their respective converging cam members to release the latching element and thereby free the window for opening.
 2. A cam roller latch mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein each latch roller is mounted on an inwardly extending support member and each support member is outwardly spring biased.
 3. A cam roller latch mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein each roller support member is mounted at its inner end on an outwardly spring biased roller release member which is exposed interiorly of a vehicle in which the mechanism is mounted.
 4. A cam roller latch mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said roller release member is an angle member which comprises a sill element.
 5. A cam roller latch mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein a presser rail is mounted for limited movement along the sill area of a vehicle in which the latch mechanism is embodied, and means operatively connect the presser rail and each support member for release of the rollers from their respective cam surfaces upon a selected movement of the presser rail.
 6. A cam roller latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latching element is a flange extending along a lower portion of a window upon, which it is mounted, and a protective guard flange extends inwardly along a lower portion of the window substantially parallel to, and in upwardly spaced relation to the latching flange, and in slightly spaced relation above the uppermost of the converging cam members when the window is in closed position. 